“As he continued to get experience, I think his confidence grew,” said defensive backs coach Joe Harasymiak. “That has let his athletic ability take over, and now he just flies around and makes plays.”

Clay is another in a long line of UMaine players who are playing a position other than the one they starred at in high school. He had hoped he might play wide receiver at UMaine, but it wasn’t in the cards.

“Our defensive coaches thought this kid can run, he’s got the skills that we think can turn him into a corner, perhaps a safety,” said UMaine head coach Jack Cosgrove.